New special needs hockey program in Sydney is all about fun

Ty Axworthy, left, closely watches the play of Gage Gibson, right, during Sunday’s hockey practice in Membertou. Gibson is a participant in a new program that teaches hockey skills to special needs children. Axworthy is a peewee player for the Sydney Steelers and one of the program’s volunteers. - Greg McNeil

SYDNEY, N.S. — There was a time not long ago when the harsh grip of anxiety kept Gage Gibson from lacing up his skates and playing the game of hockey he loves.

But anxiety has been replaced by excitement these days, thanks to a new program under the direction of the Sydney Minor Hockey Association.

The program allows the nine-year-old and other young players with special needs to discover or re-discover what makes hockey Canada’s favourite pastime.

“He was in regular hockey but it was too hard on him. I put him on this and it’s one-one-one and he absolutely loves it,” said hos mom, Theresa Gibson.

“Sometimes he doesn’t even eat because he is that excited on Sundays.”

Sydney Minor Hockey is hosting the Hockey Canada Foundation program each Sunday at 6 p.m. in Membertou. The program has seen about 18 players register to play and learn at their own pace each week.

On this most recent Sunday, the fourth for the program, a smile never left Gage’s face as shots were taken and a puck was passed between he and one of the Sydney Minor Hockey youth players who volunteer their time to the program.

“The first week it was just the coaches and then the second week I brought out half my hockey team,” said David Jamael, president of the minor hockey association, about his peewee players’ participation.

“They have a great interaction with the kids because the kids gravitate to the younger kids.”

One of many examples of a bond forming between program participants and the young volunteers comes from weekly participant who often won’t go on the ice until he knows for sure that his favourite youth volunteer will be there, too.

“He wouldn’t come on the ice until Ty came on. It’s good for these kids to see what kind of effect they are having on the kids.”

The popular youth volunteer players are the ones who can be seen wearing their Steelers blue jerseys each week. Program participants don the red and white of Team Canada as they learn and play.

“Some of them there is a few years between them, so they look up to these guys as hockey players,” said Jamael, just before the start of Sunday’s skate.

“They come out in their game jerseys so they look somewhat like a team. We have the Hockey Canada jersey from the Hockey Canada Foundation so all the kids get to look like they are part of a team.”

At each end of the ice on the most recent Sunday the players — and adult coaches, who also volunteer their time — could be seen firing shots on goal, all the while instructing and encouraging.

There was also plenty of one-on-one passing opportunities along the boards and all around the ice.

While skill levels vary, Jamael said for most of the participants the program has been an introduction to hockey.

“This is not a lot of high-level coaching, this is really just getting kids to love the game, love being on the ice,” he said.

“They can crawl around the ice and that’d be completely fine. We just want to see them having fun and want them to come back week after week because that’s what hockey should be about.”

That relaxed atmosphere has allowed Joe Bungay’s son Brody to transition from free skates at the Emera Centre and playing with hockey sticks at home to full-on ice hockey play.

“He told me he likes skating, and hockey for dessert,” Bungay said.

“He tried T-ball and didn’t really care for it that much. He didn’t have the patience. This is not as structured, so he can kind of do what he wants.”

Smiles are as universal as shooting and passing each week — on the ice and in the stands. It’s the coaches, the players and their parents who are wearing those grins.

“They are having a great time and that’s what it is all about,” said Alli MacDougall, whose son Hugh is a participant. “You can see their smiles and when it is time to come off the ice there’s a normal reaction of ‘I’m not ready yet.’”

Her son has a learning disability and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), so learning a sport can be difficult, until they entered this program.

“He seems to be loving this — just getting out. He thinks he’s going to start playing for the Eagles soon.

“This is his level, where he is right now, so it’s perfect. I couldn’t ask for anything better.”

Participants to date range in ages from five to 11 but there are no age restrictions.

The grant that allows the program to proceed each Sunday covers hockey gear and the ice rental. A $50 fee is required to cover necessary insurances.

New players are welcome. Email smhapres@eastlink.ca for more information.